We Can No Longer Postpone the Inevitable

We need to move the crib mattress down to its last position. It was inevitable that our little guy would be comfortable enough with his safety in our home, that he would eventually try to fly out of the crib. Seriously...they must be thinking, "If I can just get over this rail, I can FLY!".

In order to get a shower on Papa Bear's work days, I have to put Baby Bear in his crib, which is STILL in our bedroom, and then hop in the shower. I'm close. The bathroom is right there. I turn on Sesame Street, thinking that will be more than enough to keep this little guy mesmerized. WRONG! He has to think about escape. About flight. About anything other than being a sweet and good little boy by staying in the crib while Mommy gets her shower.

I'm halfway into shaving my left leg, and I hear this THUD!, and then "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Yep, he took a flying leap out of the crib. I'm probably a bad Mama Bear, but I couldn't feel any sympathy for him. We have told him over and over not to try to climb out. We catch him with one foot stretching toward that railing, and we say "NO! You can't climb out!". Oh yes he can! And he did!

I have to laugh about it now, but I'm sure he hurt for a few moments. I had him sit on the bathroom floor until I was done, which in and of itself, is a HUGE temptation for him, because he loves to play with the bathroom scale. The one that we have programmed to record our before and after weight, along with the percentage of weight lost. Yep, he loves to push buttons.

So, I think this weekend, we will be moving the crib into Brother Bear's room, and we will be lowering the mattress to the next notch down...the lowest notch. I know, it will only keep him in for awhile. But that's a whole 'nother story for sometime later down the road..."Looking for Toddler Beds".

Take care!
Mama Bear

The Best Musical Rendition of "The Lord's Prayer"

Have You Heard of Scrapblog?

This is fun, and right now it's free! Check them out at Scrapblog.com.

I created this Scrapblog to show one of my favorite recipes: Fantasy Fudge. It's a tiny bit difficult to take pictures while you're making fudge, but I did it!

Mama Bear

My "Mommy Brain" Needs a Smart Shopper

Check this little gizmo out! It's called "Smart Shopper", and you can win one over at Play Date Picks. I love that I don't have to write anything down...I could just touch a button and say what I want to add to my grocery list. The Smart Shopper has 2500 pre-entered items in its database, but that doesn't mean that you can't add specialty items that aren't in the database. The Smart Shopper also doubles as an "errand list", allowing you to record the errands that you need to run. All you have to do is print out the list! Pretty cool, huh? I've entered to win...now I'm crossing my fingers!

Mama Bear

Rag & Bone Bindery -- Fabulous Fabric Covered Books!

I found Rag & Bone Bindery by way of Sandi Henderson's blog, Portabellopixie, which is on my blogroll over there on the left.

Rag & Bone Bindery takes gorgeous designer fabrics and creates wonderful heirlooms that you can treasure forever. Whether it's for Baby's First Book, your guestbook at your wedding, a Day Planner, a photo album, or even an address book, Rag & Bone Bindery is the place to buy! Personally, I LOVE the Green Topiary (shown in the photo above--the one in the center), the Little Birdie Green, and the Red Henna choices. You can view all of the fabric cover options available HERE.

While a little pricey for my current pocketbook, it is definitely a site I will be keeping in mind for future purchases. I would love to get a journal or photo album, and possibly even a day planner.

These hand-covered fabric-cover books would be the perfect gift for your best friend's birthday, for Valentine's Day, for a graduate, a new mommy, or a new bride!

I'd love to hear what your favorite item is over at Rag & Bone Bindery.

Mama Bear

FRS - Healthy Energy

I'm not much of an "energy drink" person. Papa Bear can down a Monster, or Rock Star like it's nothing. I don't really care for the "shakes" that those drinks can bring. They also have this "sickly sweet" sensation...kind of like Tab soda did when I was a kid. It just was one of those feelings that made me feel icky.

Lately, I have just been feeling like I need an extra little boost of energy though. I have been walking a LOT, and eating better, but I still needed some more energy. So Papa Bear decided to try FRS energy drinks. These drinks do not contain caffeine, but have a "patented blend of Quercetin and Vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, and E.

So far we have tried the Wild Berry and the Orange, which are both non-carbonated. I didn't care for the berry one very much. It was just too "berry". And it had little chunks. The Orange is better, but it still tastes like a blend between Sunny D and Tang, but healthy. I have to admit that it does give that extra kick of energy that I need, without making me feel yucky. And it helps with my mental focus, which has been in sad disrepair for oh, about the past 8 months!!!

They also have a Peach Mango flavor, as well as two carbonated flavors: Lemon Lime and Orange.

Here is what the back of the can says: FRS is a healthy energy drink that takes you up a level and keeps you there. FRS contains quercetin - a natural, powerful antioxidant found in blueberries, red onions, apples and cocoa. Quercetin helps extend your body's natural adrenaline as well as neutralizes the oxidants in your body that cause fatigue. Joining quercetin to keep your energy on the level are key vitamins and potent antioxidants from green tea leaves. Inside one can is a daily allowance of enhanced mental focus, increased performance and the energy to keep you going.



Click on the nutrition information above to make it larger so that you can actually read it.



Have you tried FRS? If so, what do you think? Do you think it works? Do you like it? Let's hear your thoughts!


Mama Bear

Graduation -- An Exciting Time in a Teen's Life

We still have 3-1/2 years before Brother Bear graduates from high school...kind of a scary thought. We pray for him on a very regular basis. His life is so NOT normal, compared to other high schoolers. Having been born with only 1/2 a heart, and having had 5 debilitating strokes at the age of 2, he faces so many more challenges than the "normal" teen. I am so proud though, to be able to say that he is really growing in a love for God, and he has a very tender and compassionate hear for the less fortunate in this world. Thank you Jesus! We know that God has a very special plan for this young man, even though this mother's heart just wants to cry out and say "God, can you give him a miracle?" at times. I'm not ready for him to leave us just yet. How will he make it on his own? God, we know you have a very special girl in mind for our Brother Bear. Please be preparing her to be the Godly wife we wish for Brother Bear, and please help us to be preparing him to be the Godly husband we wish him to be.

I know there are other Mama Bears out there, who are looking at this year as a tough year. You have a kiddo in their senior year of high school...maybe it's your firstborn, maybe it's your baby, or maybe it's your only child. Your heart must be twisting and turning, along with your tummy, at the thought of your baby growing up. Where has all the time gone? Are you treating each day as precious? Are you "redeeming the time"? Time is one of those things that you can't get back, no matter what you do. I look at Brother Bear, and think "I haven't spent as much time with him as I should have.". It's time to remedy that. I need to go and love on my "baby".

What are you doing to spend time with your high school senior? What "last minute" messages are you hoping to pass on to them as they get ready for "flying the coop"? What do you hope to have taught them, that will help them in college and in life? I hope that you see every minute as precious, and that you take the time to just love on your kiddo, even if they say "Awwww, MOM!".

Mama Bear